CORRESPONDENCE. HIGHWAY ASSESSMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1499, 11 February 1882, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE. HIGHWAY ASSESSMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-— Now that the various highway district boards are issuing the valuation papers to the ratepayers, which show most excessive values in many cases, put on by the valuers who are supposed to make a "itrue and faithful valuation," I would ask how can this be done if the persons so appointed by the boards do not make a personal inspection of the properties ? Ido not know what rule is acted on in computing the value of any property, but it is within the writer's knowledge of a piece of land recently purchased by public competition from the Government, rated by Captain McPherson at one-third the original cost. In objecting against this "true and faithful" valuation, I am confident you would do all ratepayers a great service by printing in your next issue a copy of the form of objection necessary to be used in appealing to the Assessment Court — I am, &c,

Ratepayer. Feb. 9th, 1882. [The following is a copy of the 4th schedule, which objectors should be careful to remember is the only form permissable, being, in fact, a portion of the act." Form of Objection to Valuation List. To the Assessment Court for [Name the district or subdivision,] I hereby give notice that I object to the valuation list for the [Name the district or subdivision] on the following grounds :—: — (1.) That my name is inserted theiein as owner (or occupier) of a property described as [ Insert description from the Valuation Lht], and Assessed at the rateable value of £ : : Whereas — {a.) I am not the owner [or occupier] of such property. Or (b.) The rateable value of such, property is less [or more] than that above stated. Or(e.)[Slale any other reason for object ing .] (2.) That my na-ne is omitted therefrom, whereas I am the owner [or occupier] of [State the description and situation of the property], and am entitled to have my name inserted in the valuation list in respect thereof. (3.) That A.8., whose name appears on the said list as the owner [or occupier] of [State the description of the property in the valuation list], of the rateable value of £ : : is not entitled to be inserted in the said list, because [State the reasons], (4.) That the name of A.B. has been omitted from the said list, whereas he is the owner [or occupier] of [State the descrijdion and situation of the property], and ought to be rated in respect thereof. (5.) That the rateable value of the property occupied by [o> owned by! A.8., described in the said list as [State the description in the list] t and of the rateable value of £ , is more [or less] than that stated in the said list. (6.) That [State any inaccuracy in the list which thc t objcctor desires to he corrected]. Dated this' day of 188 . A,B. [Vhrhtian name and surname in full], of [State residence], N.B. — The objector may insert in the objection any one or more of the objections numbered above.

Five hundred liees were lost in Spanish Honduras by the recent floods there. The damage to the fruit interest, and the raihoads, and the loss of live stock is estimated at £4,000,000. Nearly a Real Fight. — It seems that blood was near being spilled at an Aldershot review the other day. "Writing about " one of the prettiest field days they have held at Aldershot this season," the London military correspondent of a contemporary says :—": — " The Duke of Connaught's Brigade formed the defending force trying to retire across the Basingstoke canal, with the enemy attacking them across the Long Valley. The Duke made a most vigorous stand, and certainly very few of the other force would have got across the Long Valley alive. But they did so all the same, and got so excited over it that the 74th Highlandeis actually fixed bayonets, and, rushing up within forty yards of the Duke's position, were preparing to charge the 93ul and 82nd. The colonel of the 82nd, luckily, with great presence of mind, put himself in front of his men, and gave the order to 'cease firing,' ' order arms,' which instructions were obeyed, and directly afterwards the ' cea&e tiling ' sounded along the line. So no lives weie lost, as they doubtless would have been but for the action of Colonel Walters, who, seeing the danger of the position, took upon himself to act independently, and thus prevent what might have proved a most unplea&ant business.